U.P. Road Trippers: See the Very Best Michigan Fall Colors

There’s a reason Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is repeatedly named the Best Fall Color Destination in the Nation by the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. From September through October, over seven million acres of hardwood and pine forests are covered in brilliant hues of gold, crimson, orange and russet, accented with swaths of deep green. Fall here doesn’t just look spectacular, it feels exhilarating.

And the best way to experience it? A road trip.

Only then do you have the freedom to travel at your own pace. Pull over when the view stops you in your tracks. Hike, bike or paddle under the brightest leaf canopies. Take detours to discover gorgeous waterfalls, picturesque lighthouses and welcoming historic towns. Get close enough to hear the rustling trees, breathe in the crisp, earthy air and touch the leaves that paint the forest floor.

This is your time. Your road. Your adventure. Get to know this land of vivid colors and sparkling freshwater — your U.P., this fall.

How to map the ultimate U.P. fall road trip

The U.P. is a vast wilderness where fall colors come in waves. The leaf show starts in the west around Ironwood and gradually spreads east to Drummond Island and Sault Ste. Marie. This transformation is driven by cool autumn nights and lingering warm days. Colors first peak in the inland forests, then ripple outward toward Lake Michigan to the south, Lake Superior to the north and Lake Huron to the east. There, the trees hold onto their green a bit longer before bursting into fall's brilliant palettes.

As you make plans, check the fall color report every Wednesday in September and October. Then plot your road trip. Although you can enjoy astonishing vistas throughout the Upper Peninsula, these 10 fall color routes will keep your camera clicking.

Feeling wowed starts the moment you cross the Mackinac Bridge into St. Ignace. Drive up to Tahquamenon Falls and Whitefish Point in the Eastern U.P. or follow U.S. 2 to the gorgeous hardwood trails and rivers along the Lake Michigan shoreline, then make your way north to Marquette and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the Central U.P. Just when you think you have seen the most incredible leaf destinations ever, wind your way up the Keweenaw Peninsula or through the Porcupine Mountains in the Western U.P. 

So many reasons to get out of your vehicle.

As a road tripper, the wanderlust that calls you to break from routines back home is what inspires you to see more places and try new things. The U.P. overflows with reasons to pull off and do what brings you joy, from exploring new trails to poking around artisan shops, bakeries and farmers markets. Raise a glass to local craft beers and wines or delve into the region’s fascinating past of the Ojibwa, European explorers, miners, mariners and loggers. Here are 14 breathtaking destinations to intersperse in your fall color itinerary.

1. Copper Peak, Ironwood
2. Lake of the Clouds, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
3. Presque Isle River Trails, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
4. Black River National Scenic Byway
5. Brockway Mountain, Copper Harbor
6. International Dark Sky Park, Keweenaw Mountain Lodge
7. Sugarloaf Mountain, Marquette
8. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising to Grand Marais
9. Kitch-iti-kipi, Manistique
10. Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, Paradise
11. Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie
12. Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Paradise
13. Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island
14. Les Cheneaux Islands

A few things to know before you see our nation’s best fall color

The warmest month to visit is September, with temperatures ranging from highs in the mid-60s to lows in the mid-40s. When October arrives, the temperatures will go from the 50s during the day to the upper 30s at night. So, prepare for changing weather: pack a waterproof jacket, sweatshirt, insulating fleece, winter coat, hat, gloves and waterproof boots. If you hike, bike, paddle or ride an ORV, bring drinking water, refillable water bottles and non-perishable snacks. Apply sunscreen and insect repellent, too.

Driving electric? The U.P. continues to add charging stations. Find locations easily through your EV app or on the Michigan State Parks site.

As more road trippers flock to the best fall color in the U.S., book your lodgings in advance along your route. Then, take your time — avoid packing too many miles into each day so you can stop often and savor the views. After all, you won’t find leaf colors like this anywhere else in the country!